Poker is a card game that involves betting between two or more players. It can be a fun way to socialise with friends, or a great opportunity to make new ones! It is a very popular game in many parts of the world, and is often played by professionals at tournaments.

There are several different variants of the game, but they all have some things in common. The game is based on a mixture of chance and skill, with the application of strategy eliminating much of the luck involved. The game also involves bluffing, which can be used to mislead other players about the strength of your hand.

The game starts with each player making forced bets, called blind bets, which are placed into a pot before cards are dealt. Each player then acts in turn by raising or folding his hands. The last player to act places his chips into the pot if he has a valid hand.

After the first round of betting, a fourth card is dealt, which is known as the Turn. This gives players a better idea of the strength of their opponents’ hands, and they can continue to check, call, raise, or fold as they wish.

The fifth and final card is then revealed, which is called the River. There is one final round of betting, and the player with the strongest five card hand wins the pot. Ties are broken by the highest card, which is also used to break ties between players who have the same pair.